A Tragic End: NRI Student's Demise at SVNIT Surat Shakes Campus

A pall of profound sadness has fallen over the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) in Surat following the tragic death of a young student. Kanishk Sharma, an NRI from California, USA, and a first-year B.Tech student, reportedly died after falling from a hostel block in the early hours of Monday morning, leaving the campus community reeling in shock and sorrow.

The incident, which unfolded around 3:30 AM, immediately drew the attention of hostel authorities and security personnel. Kanishk, who had only returned to India a few months prior to embark on his engineering journey, was found in circumstances that strongly suggest a deeply personal and painful decision.

Police investigations commenced swiftly. A crucial piece of the puzzle emerged when officers, upon searching Kanishk's room, discovered a suicide note. It's truly heartbreaking to read, but in this note, Kanishk reportedly spoke of a two-year struggle with depression, candidly admitting his inability to cope with his studies. He also penned apologies to his family and friends, a gesture that speaks volumes about the internal turmoil he must have been enduring.

For now, authorities at the Umra police station have registered a case of accidental death, a standard procedure as they meticulously piece together the events leading up to this devastating loss. While the investigation is ongoing, the contents of the note paint a stark picture of a young mind grappling with immense pressure and silent suffering.

This isn't an isolated incident at SVNIT, which makes the situation even more distressing. Only a few months ago, in August, the campus experienced a similar tragedy when another student also died by suicide. These repeated occurrences naturally raise urgent questions about the mental health support systems available to students, especially those like Kanishk who might be adjusting to an entirely new environment, far from home.

One can only imagine the hopes and dreams Kanishk carried when he arrived in India from California. His passing is a poignant reminder of the unseen battles many young people fight, often in silence. It serves as a somber call to action for institutions and society alike to foster more open conversations about mental health, reduce academic pressures, and ensure that no student feels so alone or overwhelmed that they see no other way out.